Jessica Simpson is in tip-top shape for her new movie "The Dukes of Hazzard." She needs to be. She has big boots to fill.

I talked to Simpson and her "Dukes" co-stars in New York during interviews over the weekend for the new movie.

Smaller in person than she appears on screen (she's 5 feet, 3 inches tall), Simpson's drop-dead gorgeous looks are the focus of Daisy Duke in the film version of the hit late '70s, early 80's television show.

In preparing for the role, Simpson had to adhere to a strict workout and food regimen so she could squeeze into some very short shorts and skimpy tops.

Simpson said she trained with celebrity trainer Mike Alexander, who has buffed up such celebrities as John Travolta and Harrison Ford.

Her daily regiment was an extensive workout and she "gave up flour."

"I worked out really hard for this movie," she said. "(It was) six days a week, two hours a day -- an hour and a half of training, 30 minutes of cardio, then I just watched what I ate.

"I cut out flour and sugar. I'd have natural sugar, like fruit. I ate things like corn tortillas," she said.

Although Simpson was born a year after the show debuted -- she was born July 10, 1980 -- she said she loved to watch it in reruns and Catherine Bach, who played the original Daisy, was a bit of an idol when the singer was growing up in Texas.

"I was knocking down doors trying to get this because there's something so amazing about Daisy. She's very smart. She's just an amazing woman. I grew up admiring her and she's sexy. Plus, it gave me an excuse to go to the gym," she said.

Watch out for an upcoming Jessica Simpson workout video coming soon to a home shopping network near you.

As far as the short shorts go, Simpsons says the Daisy Dukes are no shorter than Bach's were in the original TV series.

"Hers were higher and shorter and showed more of her butt. Mine were lower. They showed more of my tummy," she said.

As far as conservatives who criticize the former Christian singer and her latest skimpy ways, Simpson has an answer.

"I'm playing a role. That's Daisy Duke. I don't really listen to that stuff," she said.

Also on deck for interviews over the weekend were the other stars of the movie, Johnny Knoxville, who is featured on the cover of this months' "GQ." Knoxville, aka Phillip John Clapp, plays Luke Duke in the film and has probably moved up in salary for this co-starring role from his $5 million paycheck for "Walking Tall."

The stunt-loving Knoxville maintained his bad-boy reputation by showing up for interviews sporting a vintage Ramones T-shirt.

Seann William Scott appeared as if he was trying out for a remake of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." His head was shaved into a buzz cut, he looked remarkably different than how I had seen him on screen in the "Dukes" preview the night before. As Bo Duke, he has long locks and facial hair.

Scott said playing Bo Duke was "awesome." By the way, the buzz cut was for a new movie Scott's in the midst of shooting.

Simpson had nothing but praise for her co-stars, although she has very little scenes with them.

"They helped me with my butterflies," she said, her Southern drawl pronounced. "I was nervous."

Britney Spears was in the running for the role of Daisy Duke, but Simpson won out. Mandy Moore was also talked about for the role.

Speaking of Spears, she was spotted in San Diego very pregnant and sporting a T-shirt that says "I have the Golden Ticket" with an arrow pointing to her belly. The shirt makes reference to the new "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" movie. Spears' sister, Jamie-Lynn, spilled the beans and said the baby is due in September.

Madonna On Display

Madonna is planning an exhibition of her famous ensembles, featuring the memorable costumes she's worn during her 20-year career.

She wants it to be a traveling exhibit like the one that featured Jackie Kennedy's clothes.

Lindsay At The Finish

Teen star Lindsay Lohan greeted Lance Armstrong at the finish line of the Tour De France in Paris Sunday. Lohan happened to be in the City of Lights promoting her "Herbie: Fully Loaded" movie.

Grown Up "ET"?

What would happen if E.T. came back to find Gertie Elliot more than 20 years later? Could the sequel to "ET" be more than just a far-off dream?

Drew Barrymore, was 6 years old when she nabbed the part in the 1982 hit movie, directed by Steven Spielberg.

It seems that Barrymore may want to revisit the film and work with Spielberg again.

The sequel's plot could find a grown-up Gertie meeting ET once again after he returns to Earth to summon her help because his family is facing extinction.

Barrymore is no stranger to producing movies, either. Barrymore heads a very successful film production company, Flower Films, which put its muscle behind "ET 2."

Michelle Solomon's gossip column, Celebrity Chatter, appears each Monday. You can email Michelle at Michelle Solomon@Celebrity Chatter.